Fantasyland

Fantasyland, Magic Kingdom

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Fantasyland is one of the seven themed lands of the Magic Kingdom and is inspired by the Disney animated classics. Fantasyland was built to look somewhat like a medieval fair - an expansive courtyard to Cinderella Castle. And it has been developed with fare for the whole family.

Announced in September 2009, Fantasyland is in the process of undergoing a massive expansion that will double it's size. For more information on the expansion see "The NEW Fantasyland" section below.

Details

Attractions

Mickey's PhilharMagic
Prince Charming Regal Carrousel
Dumbo the Flying Elephant
it's a small world
Mad Tea Party
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
Peter Pan's Flight
Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid
Barnstormer
Enchanted Tales with Belle
Ariel's Grotto

Dining

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Gaston's Tavern
Cinderella's Royal Table
Pinnochio Village Haus
The Friar's Nook
Mrs. Potts' Cupboard
Enchanted Grove

The NEW Fantasyland

Announced at D23 Expo on 12 September 2009 (and revised on January 18 2011), Jay Rasulo outlined plans for the largest expansion in the history of the Magic Kingdom, vastly increasing the size of Fantasyland by 2013. Additions will include:
  • The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.”
  • Join Belle in an enchanting story performance in the Beast's castle library.
  • Be Our Guest and dine in one of three enchanted rooms inside the Beast's castle.
  • Fly with Dumbo high above brand new circus grounds, twice the size of the existing attraction with a new interactive, three-ring circus tent.
  • Journey under the sea with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, in her very own attraction.
The new Fantasyland will be opened in phases, with the first opening in 2012, and the remainder opening in 2013.

Concept Art

New Fantasyland FAQ

(Updated 23 August 2012)

When does the new Fantasyland open?

The new Fantasyland will be opened in phases, with the first opening of Storybook Circus on March 12 2012, and the remainder opening in 2013.

Disney confirmed in late September that opening in late March 2012 will be at least one half the new double Dumbo, "The Great Goofini", which is the rethemed Barnstormer attraction, and the completely rebuilt Fantasyland train station.  The land soft opened on March 12 2012 (view our opening day photos here)

The second phase of Storybook Circus, including the second Dumbo, the indoor queue area, and the Casey Jr Splash 'n' Soak Station will opened in July 2012.

The third phase of Storybook Circus, including Pete's Silly Sideshow and Bit Top Souvenirs will open in November 2012.

Under the Sea - Journey of The Little Mermaid, Enchanted Tales with Belle, Be Our Guest Restaurant, Gaston's Tavern and Ariel's Grotto will open for guest previews on November 19 2012, with Annual Passholder previews expected before this date.  The official grand opening will be December 6 2012.

The Seven Dwarf's Mine Train coaster will open in 2014.

When did construction begin?

Construction began early 2010.
The first steps to beginning the massive construction project of the new Fantasyland are now underway. The week of 18 Jan 2010 saw the significant step of Imagineering taking up a former backstage rehersal area in Mickey's Toontown Fair to establish their project office to oversee the construction project. 10 February 2010 saw the first construction walls visible from guests areas. Construction permits were filed on 22 February 2010 for the first phases of the new Fantasyland expansion.
Latest construction photos

Where will the new expansion be built?

The new area is to be built in place of Mickey's Toontown Fair, and the area north of the current Fantasyland, occupying all of the space of the former 20,000 Leagues attraction which was cleared in 2004.
For a look at this area see photos of the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea demolition, and this video of a Skyway ride from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland.
View a satellite view of the area.

Will the expansion of Fantasyland impact my trip to Fantasyland during construction between 2010 and 2013?

Disney have said that the existing Fantasyland will not be affected during the expansion, and all the attractions will remain open during, and after construction.

What are the major components of the new Fantasyland? (new revised list as announced on January 18 2011)

The latest revised concept art is available here

Under the Sea ~ Journey of the Little Mermaid, a major, all-new attraction during which guests will travel with Ariel and her friends through their exciting adventures above and below the waves – all against a musical backdrop of songs from the classic film.

The castle of the Beast, standing majestically upon a hill just across an old stone bridge from Ariel’s new home. The Be Our Guest Restaurant will feature a lavish dining experience in the elegant ballroom, gallery, and mysterious “West Wing” of the castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent facility will offer “great food fast” service by day and full table service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle's Village, guests will find the rousing Gaston’s Tavern and Bonjour! Village Gifts.

Just outside the village is Belle’s cottage and Enchanted Tales with Belle. The adventure begins in Maurice’s workshop, where a magical mirror is the doorway to a captivating new kind of storytelling experience: Guests are transported to the Beast’s library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive, re-telling of the “tale as old as time.” 

The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train will take guests on a rollicking, musical ride into the mine “where a million diamonds shine.” The coaster will feature a first-of-its kind ride system with a train of ride vehicles that swing back and forth, responding to every twist and turn of the track. The journey will be accompanied by music from the classic Disney film and animated figures of Snow White and the Dwarfs.

In Princess Fairytale Hall, Aurora, Cinderella and other Disney princesses, such as Tiana and Rapunzel, will greet guests in their new home, an elegant royal court on the site where Snow White’s Scary Adventures stands today.

The sound of the calliope will lead guests to the brand new Storybook Circus and not one but two circling carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, guests can experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top.

Next door in Storybook Circus, the classic Barnstormer gets a bright new look as well, featuring Goofy as The Great Goofini. It’s a twisting, turning roller coaster “flight” high above the circus fun. 

What is the full list of additions coming to the new Fantasyland?

Storybook Circus
The sound of the calliope will lead you to the brand new carousels of airborne pachyderms on Dumbo the Flying Elephant—now with 2 Dumbos! Before taking to the skies on this Fantasyland favorite, experience an array of fun-filled family games and interactive wonders for kids of all ages inside the Big Top.

Barnstormer
Hosted by the Great Goofini, this daredevil roller coaster, which twists and turns high above the Storybook Circus grounds, is getting a bright new look.

Casey Jr. Roundhouse
Adjacent to the Fantasyland Train Station is the Casey Jr. Roundhouse, a circus-themed immersive water play area that's fun for the little ones. They'll splish and splash as Casey Jr. billows off cool steam and water squirts from playful monkeys, elephants and camels.

Under the Sea: Journey of The Little Mermaid
Make a splash with Ariel as you take a voyage in a clamshell into a world of imagination under the sea. This attraction features her friends Sebastian and King Triton and, of course, music from the Walt Disney Pictures film.

Scuttle's Scavenger Hunt
While approaching Ariel's Grotto to meet The Little Mermaid, join Scuttle for this fun, interactive game! Search the seaside entrance way to find the seagull's treasures from the Human World, like a dinglehopper or a bulbous snarfblatt. Scuttle will be on hand to help with the hunt.

Enchanted Tales with Belle
In Maurice's workshop, a magical mirror is your doorway to a captivating storytelling experience. Transport to the Beast's library to meet Belle and Lumiere, and share in a lively, interactive re-telling of the "tale as old as time."

Be Our Guest Restaurant
Experience the elegant ballroom, gallery and mysterious West Wing of the Beast's castle. With seating for 550, this magnificent dining hall will offer great quick-service meals by day and full table-service dining in the evening. Nearby in Belle's Village, discover the rousing Gaston's Tavern and Bonjour!

Princess Fairytale Hall
Greet Aurora, Cinderella and Tiana and in their new home, an elegant royal court fit for every princess.

The Seven Dwarfs' Mine Train
Heigh-ho, heigh-ho, off to work you go! Take a rollicking, musical ride through the Seven Dwarfs mine—where a million diamonds shine. This roller coaster features a first-of-its-kind train that responds to every twist and turn of the track . The journey will be accompanied by music from Walt Disney's animated classic, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

What will happen to Mickey's Toontown Fair?

Mickey's Toontown Fair closed at the end of February 11 2011 to begin the next phase of the Fantasyland expansion project.

Mickey, Minnie and the Disney Princesses are now in the Town Square Theater.

Tinker Bell and the other fairies are now located in the Adventureland Veranda.

The Railroad station in Toontown Fair is closed, but the railroad will continue operation.

The Barnstormer will be re-themed as The Great Goofini, and will retain the same track.

What will happen to Snow White's Scary Adventures?

The attraction will be permanently closing to make way for Princess Fairytale Hall meet and greet.  Disney announced on February 23 2012 that Snow White's Scary Adventures will be closing on May 31 2012.

What was removed/added with the January 18 2011 announcement?

The "share a dance with Cinderella", "celebrate Sleeping Beauty's birthday", and Pixie Hollow were cancelled and replaced with Princess Fairytale Hall meet and greet and The Seven Dwarfs Mine Train roller coaster. The original September 12 2009 announcement can be viewed here.

Is there any concept art showing the new areas?

The latest revised concept art is available here (The original expansion art is here - Fantasyland overhead view)

Where can I find news updates and latest construction photos for the new Fantasyland?

Fantasyland news

Is there a discussion area read more or ask questions about the Fantasyland expansion?

Yes, it is at the WDWMAGIC forums